Around Town (07/25/16)
Volunteers wanted
New Beginnings for Merced County Animals needs volunteers to drive rescued animals to no-kill shelters. The animals are transported both locally and outside California. If needed, vehicles, gas and overnight lodging can be provided and drivers may bring one companion. For more information, call 209-769-2122.
Anti-bullying talk
The Merced County Junior Giants present Michael Pritchard, a national anti-bullying speaker, at 7 p.m. Thursday at Winton Middle School, 6300 Cypress Ave., Winton. The event is free. For more information, call 209-385-7426.
Menudo sale
Club Mercedes will serve menudo from 8 a.m. to noon, or until supplies last, July 31 at the hall, 569 W. Ninth St. A baby bowl is $4, medium is $8 and large is $9. Quesadillas are $1.50 each. Prices include condiments, coffee, tortillas and a pastry. Bloody marys are $5 from the full service bar. For more information, call the club at 209-383-9906.
Adult tutors
The Merced County Literacy Program offer orientation and training for volunteers who would like to become tutors for adults in Merced and surrounding counties. Orientation is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2 at the Merced County Library, 2100 O St. Training is 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Aug. 6 at the library. There are thousands of adults need of one-to-one academic help. To join the volunteers who help in reading, writing or math, call Shirelle King at 209-385-7391 or email shirelle.king@mercedcountylibrary.com.
Free health fest
Castle Family Health Centers plans the ninth annual Summer Family Health Festival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 6 at Castle Clinic, 3605 Hospital Road, Atwater. Admission is free and organizers will offer free health screenings for vision, glaucoma, hearing, diabetes, blood pressure and breast cancer. Dental exams are free for children. Sport physicals are $25. Also planned are free entertainment, food, raffles and activities. For more information, call 209-381-2000, ext. 7213.
Women’s nonprofit
Helping One Woman, a nonprofit group that meets monthly to raise money for one local woman in need of support, plans its next dinner from 6 to 7 p.m. Aug. 17 at Bella Luna Bistro and Bar, 350 W. Main St., Merced. Dinner is $18 and attendees are asked to give a minimum gift of $10 to the honoree. There is a prize drawing as well; tickets are $1. For more information, email HOWMerced@gmail.com.
Free oil filter
The Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority offers a free oil filter exchange event throughout Merced County. Residents can take a used oil filter to any AutoZone or O’Reilly Auto Parts Store within the county and receive a new filter for free on any Saturday or Sunday in July. For more information, go to www.mercedrecycles.com/usedoilfilters.html or call 209-723-4481, ext. 24.
Food bank boxes
Merced County Food Bank’s Drought Food Assistance Program is a free temporary program designed to provide assistance to Merced County residents. Those receiving a food box will be asked to self-certify that they live in a household where drought conditions have caused their underemployment, unemployment or reduced their income. People can receive the roughly 30-pound boxes of food up to two times a week. The food bank, at 2000 W. Olive Ave. in Merced, is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 209-726-3663.
If you would like to have an event announced in Around Town, send information to aroundtown@mercedsunstar.com at least 10 days before the event. Items run according to space available.
This story was originally published July 24, 2016 at 2:35 PM with the headline "Around Town (07/25/16)."